Another High-Level OWN Executive Leaves

EXCLUSIVE: The turning door at OWN: The The famous host the famous host oprah Winfrey Network continues. The newest high-level executive disappear the fighting cable network is SVP business and legal matters Alan Saxe, a correctly-respected executive who went OWN’s business matters department. Thinking about his departure (he apparently left to pursue other options), Tina Perry, V . p . Business and Legal Matters, will lead the department as interim mind. Saxe might be the most recent in the slew of executive departures at OWN, most recently EVP of production and development Lisa Erspamer. Meanwhile, OWN has existed a cost-cutting mode after an yearlong find it hard to use inside the ratings despite a marque brand together with an enormous cash infusion from co-parent Discovery Communications. I hear the network’s professionals are actually told the company in in the present form isn't sustainable and cuts are necessary, especially in the primary La office. Leading the charge because area might be the brand new Discovery Communications CFO Andy Warren, that's been examining OWN’s books. Inside the cost-cutting measures, OWN was recently asked for to eliminate temp positions. The network has received plenty of essential positions, including assistants, filled by non-full-time employees, a thing that will finish. On Rosie O’Donnell‘s show, about 30 crew everyone was release when the show was scaly to some more compact venue lately. That’s furthermore for the 5-6 staffers who playing Page Hurwitz who left as executive producer in December. Before joining OWN last season, Saxe offered as SVP of economic and Legal Matters at Warner Horizon Television and EVP of Telepictures Prods. and EVP of economic and Legal Matters for Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution.

Standing room only

Jason Sudeikis, Brett Ratner, Ron Perelman and Olivia Wilde huddle up.Octavia Spencer and Meryl Streep attend The Governor's Ball Oscar Night at the 84th Annual Academy Awards at the Grand Ballroom at The Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood.Martin Short Martin Scorsese and Fran Lebowitz chat at the VF partyAlexander Payne, Shailene Woodley and Jim GianopulosJanet McTeer, Gary Oldman and Glenn Close share shoes and a joke at the Vanity Fair bash.George Lucas and Chris Rock Jean Dujardin, sans bow tie, relaxes with Oscar.Michel Hazanavicius and Berenice Bejo celebrate at the Governors BallBilly Crystal and Brian GrazerChris Evans and Sandra Bullock at Vanity Fair.Michelle Williams and Busy Philipps flank a triumphant Harvey WeinsteinThe Governors Ball started right when the show ended, but non-stop interviews delayed Meryl Streep's arrival until 10:15 p.m. She was greeted at the door by Wolfgang Puck, who posed for photos then escorted her to a table; scurrying beside them was a press person yelling to the guests, "Cell phones away, please!"Apparently, the customs of 21st century technology are new to that guy. When James Earl Jones introduced "the iconic" Tony Bennett, who sang a few songs, there was a sudden crush of guests as they rushed to capture the perf on their cell phones.The no-assigned-seating approach meant non-stop roaming and schmoozing for guests, who became hunters and gatherers as servers circulated with trays of baked potatoes, chicken pot pies, and more, that was tasty but sometimes hard to eat while standing.Soon after arriving, Streep went to the Engraving Room, where a team screwed metal nameplates onto the base of winners' trophies. She sat with Octavia Spencer, Dante Ferretti and Francesca Lo Schiavo while people swarmed around them and dozens of photographers snapped away, until Streep finally smiled and said, "OK, that's it, fellas." At the same time, Jean Dujardin was unnoticed by many partygoers as he sat in the company of three young women, the Oscar between his feet as he contentedly ate sushi.Next stop on the after-party circuit was Vanity Fair's fete, hosted by Graydon Carter. It drew bumper-to-bumper traffic to Sunset Blvd., forcing some guests to hoof it around cars to make it into the Sunset Tower. Inside, Catherine O'Hara exploded with delight at meeting Katy Perry. In honor of the football star in attendance, Jonah Hill attempted his best Tim Tebow pose. And Billy Crystal found himself drawn into Kenneth Branagh's circle of friends.Though the traditional In-N-Out burgers made the rounds, Liam Hemsworth opted for a chili aioli slider as a farewell snack. He offered one to date Miley Cyrus, but she declined, noting, "I've already had one too many."Elsewhere in WeHo, the Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscar-viewing party made its new home in a tent in West Hollywood Park. Foster the People performed, and a silent auction drew Steven Tyler, Gwen Stefani, Quincy Jones, Whoopi Goldberg and Heidi Klum, who bid on such items as a tennis lesson with Rafael Nadal (it sold for $190,000, twice), an in-home cooking class with chef Cat Cora (sold for $100,000 to Steve Tisch) and a set visit to "Vampire Diaries," which included a "bite" with stars Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder, plus lunch with John and David Furnish ($80,000).(Tim Gray and Kirstin Wilder contributed to this report.) Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Oscars 2012 Live Blog: Watch The Show With Us!

It's time to play the music, it's time to light the lights! No, it's not the Muppet Show tonight, but the next best thing: it's Oscar night! The 84th Annual Academy Awards are finally here to settle the biggest lingering movie questions of 2011 once and for all. Will "The Artist" dominate as many expect it to? Is there room for an upset from Martin Scorsese's "Hugo" or George Clooney's "Descendants"? How much mayhem will Sacha Baron Cohen Admiral General Aladeen cause during the big show? And please, for the love of all things holy, can we please get a stealth "Man or Muppet" performance? Stick with MTV Movies Blog all night long for these answers and more as our LIVE coverage of the Oscars continues. Keep refreshing those browsers as we bring you the latest updates on the winners, losers and much more! 11:37 PM ... And that's that -- another Oscar ceremony down and in the books. Exciting at times, predictable more often than not. What did you guys think? Was this a good showing by the Academy? Did you enjoy Billy's long awaited return to the stage? Happy with the winners? Tell us everything you thought about this year's Oscars in the comments section or on Twitter! 11:35 PM ... Silence is acceptance. "The Artist" wins Best Picture. No one will remember this in five days. 11:32 PM ... We're in the end game. Best Picture. It's going to be "The Artist." I want "Hugo" or "Tree of Life," but that's not happening. It is what it is. (What it is is boring, by the way.) 11:30 PM ... All wrong again! But a charming speech from Meryl Streep cures all ails. You can't hate on the Iron Lady. 11:24 PM ... Best Actress time. I've had money on Michelle Williams but, again, I've been wrong before. Very, very wrong. 11:18 PM ... Aaaand I'm wrong. Good on you, Jean Dujardin. 11:14 PM ... Best Actor time. I know I'm in the minority on this one, but I have a very good feeling about Gary Oldman. All it takes is a foot in the door to take the win... 11:10 PM ... MTV's very own Jason Kaufman points out three big oversights from the In Memoriam section: Bubba "Hightower" Smith, Michael "Alfred" Gough and Jeff "Kenickie" Conaway. 11:06 PM ... In Memoriam this year includes director Ken Russell, Whitney Houston, Peter Falk, Cliff Robertson, Steve Jobs and, of course, Elizabeth Taylor. Who was left out? 10:58 PM ... I can't be the only one who would love to see James Earl Jones win an honorary Oscar every single year, right? 10:51 PM ... Best director goes to Michel Hazanavicius for "The Artist," ridding the world of an awesome opportunity to collectively drink to Scorsese's name. 10:50 PM ... Michael Douglas... papa Kirk is a tough act to follow. 10:43 PM ... And just like that, the drinking game "Scorsese" was born. Thank you, Ms. McCarthy. 10:41 PM ... Admit it, on title alone, you were rooting for "Time Freak." 10:38 PM ... Okay, nevermind! "Bridesmaids" onstage appearance, activated! I'd like to think I just willed this into existence. 10:30 PM ... Congrats Woody Allen. You earned it. But curse you for robbing the world of a an onstage "Bridesmaids" appearance. 10:27 PM ... "The Descendants" is on the board. Worth it for the Clooney-Lillard scene alone. Fantastic movie. (Of course, I wouldn't have complained about a sixth "Hugo" win, but it is what it is!) 10:19 PM ... Thank you Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis not just for the cymbals, but also for presenting Best Song to "Muppet or a Man." There was no acceptable alternative. 10:14 PM ... "The Artist" scores its second award for Best Original Score. I can't say I cared for the film, but it deserves this one. 10:09 PM ... Any and all mentions of Andy Dufresne / "Shawshank Redemption" are welcome in this place. Also, that's the best Nick Nolte impression of all time. 10:01 PM ... Plummer wins! At 82 years old, he is the oldest actor to win an Oscar! He absolutely deserves this. If you haven't seen "Beginners" yet, fix that mistake this week. It's a wonderful film that deserves a Best Picture nod over plenty of the actual nominees. 9:58 PM ... Okay, Best Supporting Actor time. My money is still on Christopher Plummer. No chance he loses this one. Von Trapp for the win. 9:56 PM ... "Hugo" is now up to five wins. That's the good news. The bad news: "Harry Potter" loses Visual Effects, and loses on all its nominations in the process. Mischief unmanaged. 9:50 PM ... Bonus of RDJ presenting documentary: as of this moment in time, "RDJ Tebowing" is trending on Twitter. The world is a wonderful place. 9:47 PM ... I can't say I'm not pumped for "Rango," though. That movie is so wonderfully bizarre. Good runner-up, but still no "Tintin." 9:45 PM ... Best Animated Feature is a touchy subject for me. There is no reason on Earth that "The Adventures of Tintin" shouldn't win this category... and it's not even nominated. Uncool. 9:41 PM ... A Robert Downey Jr. documentary would be awesome if he was in character as Tony Stark the whole time. Found-footage "Iron Man" movie would be invincible. 9:38 PM ... That Cirque du Solei number needed more "Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark." And more Muppets and Jason Segel. 9:34 PM ... Kermit and Miss Piggy introducing Cirque du Solei instead of Jason Segal for "Muppet or a Man" is the least cool use of a Muppet ever. 9:28 PM ... Okay! "Hugo" for four! This is a good thing! 9:26 PM ... Three for "Hugo" after Sound Editing! On one hand, I am very pleased! On the other, "Drive" is officially shut out of the race. Ryan Gosling enthusiasts (Hollywood Crush editor Amy Wilkinson especially), you are forgiven for tuning out now. 9:24 PM ... Film editing goes to "Dragon Tattoo," and there was much rejoicing. Not my favorite film of the year, no, but I am very surprised at how little love Fincher's adaptation got in the nominations. Nice to see it take something it truly deserves so early on. 9:22 PM ... Bradley Cooper, I was not behind you for sexiest man of the year. Your new skeevy mustache has immediately reversed my position. #noithasnt 9:18 PM ... Christopher Guest and friends should be part of every single focus group screenings from here on out. They should also always be required to sing "Stool Boom" at said screenings. 9:13 PM ... Christian Bale is "the hottest guy in the room," Octavia? You do know there are no more Bale-starring Batman movies after this summer's "Rises," right? Nice try though! 9:12 PM ... "The Help" is officially on the board. Octavia Spencer takes Best Supporting Actress. It would have been a huge shock if this shook out any other way, though I will say, I would have loved to see Melissa McCarthy up on that stage. 9:09 PM ... Speaking of "Newsies," it's Batman! Christian Bale, looking rather cozy on the Oscar stage. 9:06 PM ... "A Separation" takes Best Foreign film, as many had predicted. I badly need to see this one. 9:04 PM ... "Newsies" musical commercial = most exciting thing I'll see all night. Also, guaranteed that I'll have "King of NY" trapped in my skull for the rest of the evening. No complaints. 8:58 PM ... Meryl leads "Iron Lady" to their first win with Best Makeup. Elsewhere, Griphook is rolling in his grave. 8:55 PM ... "The Artist" begins its virtually assured warpath with an award for Costume Design. The running tally: "Hugo" - 2, "Artist" - 1, The World - 0. 8:53 PM ... Random montage of "Exorcist" head-spinning, "Star Wars" TIE Fighter-ing, and "Twilight" make-out teasing. Clearly, Hollywood is a diverse place of business. 8:47 PM ... Two wins for "Hugo" right off the bat, but at the expense of "Harry Potter." Already snubbed without a Best Picture nomination, it's looking like the unfortunate streak may continue for "Potter" throughout Oscar night. Talking about "Harry Potter's" Oscar snub! 8:45 PM ... And another for "Hugo," now for Art Direction. Oscar night is off to a great start for your friendly neighborhood blog editor. 8:43 PM ... Achievement in Cinematography kicks off the night! And Martin Scorsese's "Hugo" is the first winner on the board! Good news for me, "Hugo" is far and away my favorite of the bunch this year. 8:38 PM ... "Oscar! Oscar!" Welcome back, Billy. 8:35 PM ... Billy Crystal looks less like live-action Tintin and more like grown-up Junior from "Problem Child." Not that there's anything wrong with that. 8:33 PM ... A Justin Bieber cameo this early in the telecast? It's going to be a long night. 8:31 PM ... Starting the show off with Morgan Freeman? Never a bad idea. 8:28 PM ... My predictions coming throughout the night, starting with supporting categories: Christopher Plummer for "Beginners," and Octavia Spencer for "The Help." There will be no shocks in these categories, nor should there be; both of these actors completely deserve their awards. (Though I wouldn't complain about a Melissa McCarthy upset!) 8:25 PM ... Random side note: every time I see Oscar producer Brian Grazer, I keep thinking how awesome he would be as Boyd Crowder's estranged uncle on "Justified." Just look, they're identical: 8:20 PM ... Ten minutes to show time. You're running out of chances to place your bets. Who do you have taking home the big prizes tonight? Make your winner predictions in the comments section or hit us up on Twitter! 8:17 PM ... We've been all over the Oscar red carpet since the night began. Click on the many beautiful Jessica Chastains below to see all the stars in their Oscar fashion glory! 8:15 PM ... Hello there! MTV Movies Blog editor Josh Wigler here; for better or worse, I'm the man behind the wheel of this here Oscar live blog. I'm no Billy Crystal, but I hope to be better than Franco at least! Give us your Oscars feedback in the comments section and on Twitter!

Fanboy or Fascist?

"Just what the box office success in the re-released Special Models told Hollywood is always that inside your create another global phenomenon is to produce a new Alien movie. 1997 was the start of the present-day fanboy/geek culture that now runs Hollywood. Fanboy culture (Comic-Disadvantage, Harry Potter, Twilight, The Hunger Games, The Master in the Rings, J.J. Abrams, Joss Whedon, Marvel comics, Wager on Thrones, The Walking Dead, Glee, Aint-It-Awesome-News, Attack in the Show) can be a groupthink attitude that states be democratic, using its we-know-what's-best-because-were-fans ethic, but is really popular culture fascism. Which is the fans demand (remember, fan is short for fanatic), that introduced towards the Exorcist: Episode I The Phantom Menace - most likely probably the most over-blown (and possibly most reviled) blockbuster in movie history." [Some Came Running]

Orlando Bloom to star in adaptation of Zulu

Orlando Bloom has starred in a few duds since leaving the Pirates Of The Caribbean franchise (The Three Musketeers anyone?), but he may have a promising new project in the form of Jerome Salle's adaptation of Caryl Férey's novel, Zulu.Not to be confused with the Michael Caine classic, Zulu is set in post-apartheid South Africa, the story revolves around the Cape Town police department being thrust into the spotlight when an 18-year-old girl is murdered.The media attention stems from the fact that the victim was the daughter of one of the players from the Championship-winning Springboks rugby team.Djimon Hounsou (Gladiator, Blood Diamond) is also on board, playing the chief of the homicide branch where Bloom's officer is situated.The script promises to delve into a murky world of narcotics and gang culture, touching on the lasting effects of apartheid. The project will certainly come as a relief to Salle, who'll look to distance himself from the disastrous remake of his film, Anthony Zimmer that came in the form of The Tourist.There's no word on a release date yet, but expect it to arrive at some point next year.

Truth elbows out gags

'Bridesmaids' authors Kristen Wiig, left, and Annie Mumolo 'wrote everything out' but permit the cast try improvisation round the set.Extemporized scripts for instance "Borat," or people built through improv like "Another Year," every once in awhile garner Oscar love. Nevertheless the Authors Guild remains more enthusiastic about this style, nominating numerous records by getting an impromptu feel, including "Finest in Show," "The Hangover" and (in the Judd Apatow stable) "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," "Knocked Up" which year's "Bridesmaids."Apatow credits "the enormous volume of comedy authors inside the guild, much more in comparison towards the Movie Academy. People who've written comedy for television determine what we're doing."It's name is "behavior comedy," states "Bridesmaids" helmer Paul Feig. TV's pioneering handheld "Work,Inch and loose, naturalistic features like "Waiting for Guffman," whetted audience appetites for further reality and fewer gags."Jokes on their own distance everyone else within the reality, since they need to have a response," Feig states. "So when they don't destroy, you frequently mistrust individuals who made the film.InchConsider the very first 'Austin Forces,' which offered itself on people giant set-pieces and enormous gags. But what's the funniest part of that? Dr. Evil and also the boy, that 'Don't talk' goofing the realistic a feeling of fun where they're just playing around. Or possibly not, they appear like they are.InchAround the set, Apatow declares, "The rule is we might carry out the scene, however when anytime any actor will receive a concept, we encourage him to tennis ball therefore the script. Most of the great moments originated from improvisations that have been required for the heavens to surprise each other." The resulting string of hits has generated a great Apatow style that's close to being its genre."Nowadays, people greatly want honesty," Feig states. "You've really arrived at permit the stars increase the risk for words fit using their mouths," a process that begins with structure. Yes, there's some improvisation in "Bridesmaids," "but we'd helpful information.InchAmong the people who came that roadmap, the pic's star and co-author Kristen Wiig, states, "It's so hard to look into the ultimate product and think what percentage was improvised and written, but we written everything out."Meaning, as writing partner Annie Mumolo puts it: "We'd a shooting script which was the littlest version, which we always shot that first."But previous drafts created comedy fodder, which sometimes increased being laff gold. Wiig and Rose Byrne's "dueling toasts" sequence, Apatow states, showed up in this area of riffing around the score of suggestions.Round the number of "50/50," reviews WGA nominee Will Reiser: "As extended after we got the thing that was round the page, we gave the heavens the freedom to feel loose." A lengthy sequence of aged cancer patients speaking about old-time radio, according to him, "is completely improvised then one of the most popular moments."Many writers' fave moments were born of improv. A rambling Paul Reiser "Diner" speech opened up up Apatow's adolescent eyes to "how truthful and natural comedy may be.In . And Mumolo has not forgotten Bill Murray's "Caddyshack" description of golf while using Dalai Lama."In my opinion I heard somewhere it had been improvised. I am hoping so. That'd cause me to feel so happy!"WGA Honours 2012Truth elbows out gags Good timing for WGA prexyHonoreesKress & McDuffie Eric Roth Tate Taylor Patric Verrone Zwick & Herskovitz Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Grahame-Smith Updates On Beetlejuice 2

Michael Keaton is excitedLast we heard, Tim Burton was waiting on Seth Grahame-Smith for a status report on the long-mooted Beetlejuice sequel. Grahame-Smith has just told Shock that he hasn't written it yet, but he has spoken to Michael Keaton, and been thoroughly encouraged to turn on the juice and see what shakes loose."I met with Michael last week," says Seth, "and his excitement level is huge. We talked for a couple of hours about big-picture stuff. He's been wanting to do it for twenty years and he'll talk to anybody about it who will listen!"Incredibly, it's actually been longer than that, since the original Beetlejuice first terrorised audiences in 1988. Since then we've had a kooky cartoon series and there was talk for a long time about an official sequel in Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian, which eventually came to nothing.Grahame-Smith says that this time, Beetlejuice 2 is very much a going concern: "It's a priority for Warners and it's a priority for Tim." But he's keen to emphasise that he doesn't want to taint the first movie. "I have a huge reverence for Tim and a huge reverence for that film in general," he promises. "I don't think we should do it if we shit on the legacy. Michael agrees. So, right now, it remains to be seen. I have a couple of story ideas, but we're very early out."The writer's immediate next project is an animated film for Burton, which he'll follow with a screenplay for his comic-book adaptation Unholy Night. It's only after those two that he'll be able to turn his full attention to the ghost with the most.The Grahame-Smith-penned Dark Shadows is out in the UK on May 11, and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter follows on August 2.

Keck's Exclusives: Large Bang Wedding Update

Large Bang Theory Received your invite yet? Round the SAG Honours red-colored-colored carpet, The Big Bang Theory cast described that invites to Howard and Bernadette's spring wedding will be in the mail! "I used to be stuffing invites in the last episode we shot, therefore we are moving closer to the wedding,In . states a very excited Melissa Rauch (Bernadette). Nevertheless the actress confesses she'd a bit of tension when she appreciated the fate of George's fiancée, Susan, on Seinfeld, who died from licking toxic wedding-­invitation the the envelopes in 1996. "I didn't really lick any the the envelopes, so knock on wood, dying isn't in Bernadette's future." The next thing on the road to the altar seems being casting Bernadette's family. "They've recommended in my opinion that my character may have a conversation along with her father, who'll be described as a little wary," states Simon Helberg (Howard). Can ya really blame him? Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

Gamers in freeville

"Farmville" is Zynga's very popular game carried out through Facebook. The ranks of casual gamers grows inside a rapid rate, considering the variety of people playing videogames inside the U.S. rising 141% since 2008. According to another study by general market trends firm Parks Affiliate marketers, 135 million people play a videogame one or more hour monthly compared to 56 million four years ago. While that's an positive sign for your $16 billion yearly games industry, there's a catch: 80% of gamers prefer free game game titles like "Angry Wild wild birds" and "FarmVille" on sites like Facebook together with other platforms, selecting to avoid subscription costs and just purchase add-ons and upgrades. Still, they're trading normally $21 monthly on virtual goods or other perks, Parks Affiliate marketers mentioned, which added that periodic gamers with videogame consoles spend around $27 monthly. Hasbro is searching to take full advantage of people digital dollars by pairing tabs on social gaming giant Zynga to exhibit its toys into mobile games. Deal, introduced Thursday, includes co-high quality selling that will intermingle Hasbro and Zynga brands. First products needs to be accessible within the fall. "It's exciting to partner with Hasbro after we share an average vision for play together with a pastime for connecting the earth through games," mentioned Mark Pincus, founder, Boss and chief product officer of Zynga. Consequently in the go to play more games online, entrepreneurs are focusing more attention on building online cities for top game game titles to lure players to start their handbags for further content, similar to "Cod Elite" that Activision Blizzard launched around its "CodInch franchise. "Instead of ending support of clients after they buy individual game game game titles, game companies now focus on building gamer cities and developing ongoing associations utilizing their clients," mentioned Parks research analyst and concentrate author Pietro Macchiarella. "The positive effect from the approach is always that game income generating might be extended beyond the objective of purchase. Unlike traditional offline games, the web allows the to earn revenue even when people play in the same game frequently." Within the latest questionnaire, Activision, industry's greatest vidgame author, created 26% of the sales from digital platforms, while 60% came from from traditional channels. With elevated people moving cell phones, 17% of clients downloaded a game title title by themselves mobile items, up from 7% in 2008. Contact Marc Graser at marc.graser@variety.com

Lookout sharpens focus on global co-prods

Vaughan'Titanic'Simon Vaughan, CEO of London-based production-distribution outfit Lookout Point, represents television's new breed of financing specialists who are prospering amid the growing global demand for high-end programming.Lookout Point is among the co-producers of the Julian Fellowes-scripted mega-mini "Titanic," set to air in April on ABC, ITV and in a host of other countries to coincide with the 100th ann of the nautical disaster. Lookout was also behind the Canuck drama series "Combat Hospital" that aired on ABC last summer, and it is one of several shingles mounting "Parade's End," a WWI-set mini penned by Tom Stoppard for BBC, HBO and Oz's Nine Network.Vaughan has been in the business of assembling international co-productions for years. The marketplace for the glossy fare he's most drawn to has never been stronger, thanks in large part to the growth of commercial TV outlets in Europe and key emerging territories, as well as the openness among major U.S. broadcasters and cablers to international partnerships.But in Vaughan's view, one of the drivers of new business in the past few years is the sea-change in the attitude in his native country toward co-productions. Of the 10 projects he helped shepherd prior to last year (a list that includes made-fors "Ben Hur," "The Company" and "Coco Chanel" and the CTV/ITV/CBS drama skein "Flashpoint"), Vaughan calculated that all of them had Canadian financing, nine of them had U.S. bucks but only three of them had any U.K. money. During the past year, three of the four projects he's been involved in greenlighting have significant British coin behind them."It's become more viable to co-produce in the U.K. than ever before," Vaughan says. "There's never been a better time for British drama, helped along by shows like 'Downton Abbey,' 'Sherlock,' 'Luther,' 'The Hour.' And we've gone through a learning curve of figuring out how to use co-productions in a way that doesn't compromise the creative integrity of the show."With Lookout Point, which opened its doors in the fall of 2009, Vaughan's strategy has been to attract marquee creative names and properties that have built-in awareness. And once the financing partners are in place his job becomes protecting the writers from pressure to add elements that might make it more appealing to viewers in one of the territories chipping in on the budget."In the past, co-productions had a bad rap because they'd been quite cynically engineered to have a little bit of this and a little bit of that," Vaughan says. "What Lookout Point has done is to really put the creative first, not the deal first. We have a self-assured sense of what we want to create rather than something that is designed to please everybody who's putting financing in."Lookout has been fortified by its first-look distribution deal with BBC Worldwide, which has been expanded to include the two companies developing projects together from scratch. The company is also repped by CAA. Among other projects, Vaughan and BBC Worldwide are developing a five-hour adaptation of "Les Miserables" (based on the novel, not the tuner), with Andrew Davis on board to write the teleplay (though the project has not formally been greenlit).Separately, Lookout is working with Brit shingle Tiger Aspect on revisiting "Lawrence of Arabia" as an ambitious mini, with scribe William Boyd on board to bring some entertainment value into the historical tale.Tiger Aspect and Lookout are already partnered on a procedural drama series, "Ripper Street," set in the late 1880s during the period of the Jack the Ripper murders. "Ripper Street" is set to bow on the BBC in the fall, and Vaughan has been fielding interest from U.S. nets.Lookout is by design what Vaughan calls "a boutique business" that turns on his long-established relationships with key foreign buyers. Before Lookout, Vaughan was a partner in Alchemy Television, which became a victim of its own early success."We got a bit overcommitted during the economic crisis. We borrowed too much, we grew too fast," Vaughan said. "But we did a lot of things right. The bits that I took with me were that I didn't need to be all things to all projects. Alchemy ended up developing, producing, distributing, financing, deficiting, hiring the stand at Cannes. Now our model is much simpler."You learn a lot more from the things that don't quite go right than you do from things that do. A lot of those experiences, although they were bruising at the time, you take with you." Contact Cynthia Littleton at cynthia.littleton@variety.com